380 Sundancer - 2001/2002/2003

D

Dani-Lu

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Guys,

I currently have the 310da (Horizon 350MPI), and was looking at the 360da, however have decided to go for the 380 da, due to the seperate shower stall and full size fridge. I am currently looking at a 2002 and 2003 380da. With that said, based on another thread, it sounds like the 390/400 is a bit under powered with the Horizon 8.1's. Can I assume the same for the 380da with the 8.1's. Yesterday, I spoke to an owner at the anchorage with a 2000 380da with the 7.4's, and he loves the 380 and thinks it would be an even better boat with the 8.1's. He and family go to Block, Connecticut, and North up Hudson with boat. His only complaint is the boat lists a little to one side when head is empty, due to fuel tanks not being installed evenly - One is more forward then the other. Considering there are very few diesels on the market, and the price drives me back to the 360, I would appreciate advice on the 380da with the 8.1's. Last thing I want is an underpowered boat, since I enjoy going fishing and diving in the ocean, as well as going outside when weather permits on our family vacation in Montauk, and hopefully Block this year.

Thanks,

Jeff
 
I also have a 310DA and have looked at the 380DA. I have been told the 8.1s are sufficient for the boat. I have not heard many bad things about the 380. The other board has a few threads on this boat that may be great help to you.
 
Jeff, no, don't assume that a 380 is underpowered with 8.1's. It performs well. There's some good information in the other thread, but it's always important to weigh data. People who extrapolate info from their own experience and try to relate it to another scenario might offer valuable insight. They could also be 100% off the mark.

On the other hand, people who just repeat rumors or dock-talk should almost always be ignored.

Along those lines, I HAVE HEARD complaints about the 390/40DA’s being sluggish. Specifically, the diesel models with the Cummins 6BTA’s. That engine might add too much weight without adding enough power to make the boat perform well. Again, that’s a rumor, I haven’t driven one myself. Information directly from an experienced owner would be a lot more reliable.

The significantly lighter weight of the gas engines helps offset the difference in torque, so the 380DA & 400DA perform very well as gassers. (note: the 400DA is a completely different model than a 40DA.)

Their size might work to their advantage too – as they don’t feel as stern-heavy as some smaller boats.

The undeniable dis-advantages of gas are: thirst and low-speed maneuverability. A lot of the other statements are debatable: TCO being the biggest question mark if you ask me.

I think you’ll be happy with the performance of a 380 with 8.1’s, unless you expect 1 MPG and/or 30-knot cruising, or if you’re the nervous type in close-quarter handling situations.
 
I posted this on Club Sea Ray but will repost it here:

I had this same setup before my 480 and I even had the monochrome chartplotter radar. I will preface my opinions here by saying it was just the wrong boat for our family since we had 4 small kids and me and my wife.

This was a great quality boat for 2001 and it's size. I looked around and, for that year, I thought the competition was behind on fit and finish and layout. The boat had a real forward stateroom with a door, a real bathroom (I know... "head"), real kitchen appliances, etc. I also thought the boat had a great profile and just looked good.

There are a few general downsides to this boat though. My opinion is, and this is for the type of boating we do, that this boat needed diesel engines. It was very thirsty on gas and was not a fast boat. My 480 DB is actually cheaper from point A to point B than the gas 380 was. I also thought the boat was a bit squatty (is that a word) on plane with all the weight in the rear but I guess that is part of the Sundancer design. On the Bay here, it was also just a few feet too short for the chop and I really had to throttle back and go over and down the waves (and get *very* wet at the helm). The boat was very stable, however, and I never felt like the boat would roll over (can't say that about a bridge boat). I believe 40 feet is the "magic length" for the type of chop we see here. The props are a fairly close together and so docking can be a challenge with this boat's length and any cross wind or current.

But... don't get me wrong here. It is a good boat but I would say the "user profile" for this boat is more along the lines of a childless couple or with 1 or 2 small children. It's not an open water boat by any means but is great for cruising generally protected areas (including the ICW, and Ches. Bay if you watch the weather).

Make sure the exhaust has been fixed or is not an issue. I got a call one day from the dealer and it was "uhhh.... we need to go to your boat and redo the exhaust system..." Never really knew what that was about but apparently there were some exhaust issues with water ingestion.

The other thing is look out for the cherry vitrocor (sp?). I had to have some of it redone as it turned black and turned out to be a defect in the material or something. Sea Ray sent someone in to redo it but again, don't really know too much about the history here.
 
Gary "Four Sons",

You did not mention the engines you had. Since yours was a 2001, I assume you had the 7.4's. I have heard that the 8.1's make it a much better boat.

Jeff
 
I have a friend that had a 38 I think a 2002 0r 2003, it had 8.1 motors. First off he loved the boat and just wanted bigger. Second, when we compared speed and fuel burn he was where I am with my 34c Silverton, 25 mph cruise with a 30 gal/hr burn and top speed was around 34 to 35 mph. He did have that water ingesting issue also and had both motors replaced (warranty before he bought the boat). His kids are young so I can't comment on the salon or beds. Quality wise, he had no problems, If you like that style boat (cruiser) then I think it would be a good choice. Myself, I could never own a cruiser style ever again. No matter how nice the cabin is, I feel like I am in the basement.

Walter
 
Yes I agree....... about the basement feeling. Deb always ask when are moving out of the basement apartment ??? SOON honey....SOON.
 
Walter,

Are you sure your friends boat had the 8.1's? The reason I ask is all the other threads say the ingestion problem was with the 7.4's, not the 8.1's. If you are correct about the 8.1 also having the ingestion problem, then that is something I need to confirm on a boat I am currently looking at.

Thanks.
 
Walter,

Are you sure your friends boat had the 8.1's? The reason I ask is all the other threads say the ingestion problem was with the 7.4's, not the 8.1's. If you are correct about the 8.1 also having the ingestion problem, then that is something I need to confirm on a boat I am currently looking at.

Thanks.
 
The ingestion problem was no the motors but the exhaust setup, I am pretty sure they were 8.1 motors. I could be wrong, but the real question was speed and gal/hr, that I do remember.
 
Thanks for info Walter.

Still waiting for D dock completion. Any sign of water and electric in our section? Joelle put me in temporary slip on C dock. Hate not being in my own slip.
 
THE '03 380 DA IS A GOOD BOAT,THIS WILL BE MY 4TH YEAR WITH IT. HOLDS THE WATER GOOD. JUST KEEP THE FRESH WATER TANK FULL BECAUSE IT'S IN THE BOW IT HELPS THE RIDE. THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE '01 MODEL THEY HAD TO REFIT THE EXHAUST. I HAVE THE 8.1 'S BURN'S A LOT OF GAS WIDE OPEN ABOUT 40 GPH.
 
I'm pretty sure you'd get a full report on a 380 SeaRay 8.1 eng off boattest.com Just check engine model for the type you want. They cover the ReaRays pretty well.
 
Jeff if you are still looking, I happen to have met someone who is selling a 2003 380 DA because of a pending move to Florida and they have a boat there. Maybe you have seen her around, the name is Champagne Girl. Seems in great shape and they are motivated for a sale. PM me if you are interested, I can put you in touch.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Dani-Lu

Thanks for info Walter.

Still waiting for D dock completion. Any sign of water and electric in our section? Joelle put me in temporary slip on C dock. Hate not being in my own slip.

Click to expand...


Missed this post, but you will be happy to hear that all is completed :)

Walter
 
Buddy has a 380 with 7.4's and loves it ... I DO NOT like the new 40 ( old 39 ) Terrible ride... in gas it was horrible boat... I cant stress it enough... in the slop of the bay she got pushed around...

Rob
 
Robski,

Yeah but don't the 44 ride great?

Do you have the 480's?

Jeff good luck on your search my 360 was traded in 2 weeks ago and sold today. I'm not sure but I think around the 180 range.
Hope this helps.

Jim Conroy

04 420
 
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